By National Association of Home Builders
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published a final rule revising its personal protective equipment fit requirements for the construction industry. The revised standard will go into effect on Jan. 13, 2025.
According to a U.S. Department of Labor news release, the revision to the standard adds specific language requiring that employers provide PPE that “properly fits” construction industry workers, and the change aligns the construction industry standard with the standard already in place for general industry.
The news release also states this matter has been a longstanding industry safety concern—particularly among some women and physically smaller or larger workers—as improperly sized PPE can be ineffective in protecting workers, create new hazards for the worker, and discourage use because of discomfort or poor fit.
NAHB joined the Construction Industry Safety Coalition in submitting comments when OSHA first proposed the change in 2023, seeking clarification on how the agency intends to enforce the proposed changes and calling for additional guidance, as well as clearer definitions of such terms as “appropriate size,” “provides necessary protection” and PPE creating “additional safety and health hazards.”
NAHB and OSHA have multiple resources to help employers and employees understand the importance and proper use of PPE, including:
- NAHB Video Toolbox Talks on PPE and Safety Basics;
- The NAHB Jobsite Safety Handbook mobile app, which includes a section on PPE usage;
- OSHA webpage on PPE in construction, and
- OSHA webpage on the hazards and solutions related to PPE usage. (Source)